NORFOLK, Va. – After a defensive battle in the first half that saw a total of three goals scored, No. 2 North Carolina took control of Sunday’s game in the second half to defeat the Old Dominion University Lacrosse team at the Powhatan Sports Complex, 14-3.

North Carolina (9-1) struck first as Laura Zimmerman scored one of her five goals on the day five minutes into the first half. Just over a minute later, Old Dominion (2-5) responded when senior midfielder Rebecca Hartrum stripped UNC goalkeeper Lauren Maksym and scored just a minute later to tie the game at one apiece. A defensive battle would then pursue as neither team scored for over 20 minutes. UNC was able to take a 2-1 lead into the half with a late goal in the half by Becky Lynch. Senior Sarah Geary racked up six saves in the first half for the Lady Monarchs in goal.

The Tar Heels came out firing in the second half as they scored five unanswered goals in the first ten minutes after halftime to take a 9-2 lead. Senior midfielder Lisa Bernardini scored her 15th goal of the season on a free position shot at the 20-minute mark to snap UNC’s string of goals but the Tar Heels then put in seven of the final eight goals of the game en route to a 14-3 win.

Freshman midfielder Christina Rea scored her first career goal for ODU on a free position shot midway through the second half to cap the scoring for the Lady Monarchs who were held to a season-low three goals.

Zimmerman scored five goals and picked up an assist to lead UNC on offense while ODU held the nation’s leading scorer in Abbey Friend to just two goals and an assist in the game. Taylor Thomas earned her first win of the season in goal as she collected a pair of saves.

ODU hits the road for three of their next four games beginning Wednesday as they travel to Longwood for a 4 p.m. first draw. Live updates of the game can be found on Twitter at @ODULacrosse.